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On May 6, 2023, the internationally acclaimed Norwegian jazz pianist Tord Gustavsen and his trio return to Paliesius Manor with a new album. The trio, which actively performs across the globe, will present their critically lauded new album, “Opening,” in the manor’s concert hall. This is a rare opportunity to hear a jazz superstar and a magnificent jazz album live!
“I clearly feel that the striving, the creativity unfolds organically, without breaking away or freezing in place, while maintaining a vibrant connection with one’s roots—with the groundedness and sensuality of the hymns, spirituals, and lullabies I constantly heard while growing up,” shares Tord Gustavsen.
The Tord Gustavsen Trio has already released several albums: they have reimagined Norwegian hymns and Sufi poetry in Pashto, J. S. Bach’s church works, and performed instrumental pieces and original compositions by T. Gustavsen, all while blending the simplicity of Nordic blues with impressionistic landscapes and a meditative atmosphere. But the music of Norwegian pianist and composer Tord Gustavsen never ceases to grow, rising ever higher through memorable melodies, subtle rhythms, musical spaces, tenderness, and depth. Released in 2022 by “ECM Records” with the addition of a new bassist, Steinar Raknes, the Trio’s album “Opening” stands out with its firm, sensual musical foundations and virtuosic solo playing, allowing the ensemble to shine brighter than ever. Writing for the music magazine “Jazzwise,” Peter Quinn noted that the album “vibrates richly and distinctively between introspection and drama… An impressive collection,” while Marshall Gu in “Pitchwork” magazine remarked that “the musical conversation… takes your breath away… [the album is] rich in melody and flows like two streams of water.”
Pianist Tord Gustavsen has released seven critically acclaimed albums with the “ECM Records” label, recorded alongside his trio and larger musical collectives. Even before embarking on his solo career, the artist was a vital part of the Norwegian jazz scene for several years. His playing formed the cornerstone of numerous projects by Norway’s best-known singers, such as Solveig Slettahjell, Silje Nergaard, and Kristin Asbjørnsen. T. Gustavsen’s quest for individuality merges with exceptionally attentive listening when playing alongside others, allowing him to emerge as a truly remarkable performer in both ensembles and solo appearances. In his pieces, he weaves together jazz history, reflective “Nordic” moods, and a lyrical beauty, thereby setting himself apart on the contemporary music scene.
With his trio, quartet, and other musical collectives, T. Gustavsen has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and his native Norway. The artist has graced major festivals in many other countries as well, including Australia, Brazil, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, and Poland. He has received numerous prestigious accolades: the Norwegian Grammy (“Spellemannsprisen”), the “NOPAs musikkpris” for best jazz composition, the Bell Award for best international jazz album in Australia, Record of the Month from the US music magazine “Stereophile,” and the “Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik” in Germany, among others. T. Gustavsen has also composed pieces for various festivals, such as the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, the Oslo Jazz Festival, and the Oslo International Church Music Festival.
Drummer Jarle Vespestad stands out from his peers through a subtle minimalism—yet he remains distinctly, uniquely rhythmic. His lyrical accents and the highly sensitive interplay he has developed with Tord Gustavsen over many years are essential elements of the group’s musical texture. Jarle also plays with the prominent Scandinavian groups “Farmers Market” and the “Silje Nergaard Band,” and until 2008, he was a member of the pioneering project “Supersilent.”
Steinar Raknes, alongside the Trio’s alternating bassists Ellen Brekken and Gjermund Silset, is among the most renowned bassists in Norway, taking part in various tours and recordings with the country’s leading jazz and indie pop musicians. They are known for their involvement in many important Norwegian groups and ensembles, such as the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, “The Core,” the Tore Brunborg ensemble, the “Mari Boine Band,” the Karl Seglem quartet, the Hedvig Mollestad Trio, the Kristin Asbjørnsen Band, “Stillhouse,” and many others. Not only do they possess a powerful sense of rhythm and lyricism, but they also complement the traditional bass line with an expressive, subtle arco touch, introducing folk-like, almost fiddle-like sounds into T. Gustavsen’s compositions.
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